Swine Flu Found In Pigs

As the total number of laboratory confirmed cases of human swine flu continued to rise - a herd of pigs in Northern Ireland has tested positive for swine flu.

The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development said tests on a batch of piglets submitted by a private veterinary practice to the Agri-Food & Biosciences Institute on September 11 have tested positive for the novel H1N1 Influenza A virus.

A spokesman said; "Influenza viruses, including Influenza A, were present in all pig producing countries, and were considered endemic in the pig population.

"Given that the virus was currently circulating in humans, the finding was not unexpected."

The spokesman said the Department was providing advice to the affected farm and would continue to monitor developments and provide advice to the industry as required.

The Department of Health and Social Services and the Health and Safety Executive have also been informed, however, the Novel H1N1 influenza A does not pose a food safety risk to humans.

Meanwhile, the Department of Health yesterday published the weekly flu bulletin.

It said that GP consultations for flu and flu-like illness have risen and are still significantly higher than rates recorded in the same weeks of previous years and are highest in the 5-14 age group.

It also said that 'Out of Hours' calls for flu and flu-like illness have increased and are highest in the 5-14 age group and that there were 34 new cases of laboratory confirmed swine flu during the previous week.

The total number of laboratory confirmed cases in Northern Ireland as at noon on 16 September was 228 and that antiviral prescriptions have increased during week 37 to 480 compared with 301 courses prescribed in week 36; a total of 9,221 antiviral prescriptions have been issued as at noon 16 September.

The officials also said the number of cumulative swine flu hospitalisations was 97 as at noon on 16 September and said that there have been two deaths related to swine flu.

Chief Medical Officer, Dr Michael McBride said: "The number of contacts for flu-like illness made to GPs during this period has risen over the last week.

"The level still remains significantly higher compared to this time in previous years. The rate is highest in the 5-14 age group and this may be influenced by the schools returning after the summer break.

"Although, out of hours calls for flu-like illness have also increased slightly in the past week, primary care services continue to cope well despite the increased demand on their services," he said.

Earlier this month, it emerged that cardiac problems and not swine directly the death of a local infant.

The baby - understood to have died in the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children - had however tested positive for the illness, but the child's heart condition was the cause of death.

See: Baby Death, Not Swine Flu

(BMCC/GK)